“Jesuit community is one of the most formative experiences of Christ-like love I have ever experienced. It means growing in patience, appreciation, joy, charity and understanding. God calls us to live the Gospel as a community. It is in a Jesuit community where we learn the humanity of each other so that we can love more deeply people in ministry.”
Will work at St. Paul’s High School in Winnipeg, Manitoba, as well as at a French-speaking parish in Winnipeg.
Marc-André Veselovsky, SJ, was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario, with his two caring parents, four sisters and one brother. He was homeschooled before doing his bachelor’s degree in philosophy and psychology at the University of Ottawa. Marc-André’s mother was a piano teacher and taught all her children to play piano and encouraged them to sing in choir. Singing was a big passion of Marc-André’s from an early age. From his youth until he was 22 years old, he and other members of his family sang with the choirs of Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica in Ottawa.
Marc-André first felt the call to the priesthood through his involvement with Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO), a Canadian university movement that encourages evangelization and living a personal relationship with God among university students. Cultivating this loving relationship with God and ministry with CCO led Marc-André to discern a priestly vocation which brought him to the Jesuits in Canada. He was attracted by their wholistic formation as well as their charism of radical availability for mission.
Marc-André entered the Society of Jesus in 2015. He did his novitiate formation in Montreal; philosophy in Paris; regency with Jesuit Refugee Service in Montreal; first cycle of theology studies in Toronto; and his fourth year of theology in Boston. Marc-André is looking forward to beginning his first mission as a Jesuit priest back in Canada, where he will serve at St. Paul’s High School in Winnipeg, Manitoba, as well as at a French-speaking parish in Winnipeg
Bachelor’s degree, psychology and philosophy, University of Ottawa; Canonical Licentiate in Philosophy, Facultés Loyola Paris; Master of Divinity, Regis College, University of Toronto
I have started to write music as a hobby and a way to pray on retreats. Being able to create something new that tries to share the beauty of God with others is very motivating!
I find the willingness of the first French Jesuits in North America to listen and learn the culture of the Wendat people before they can properly share their French culture and Christian religion with the Wendat inspiring. Their willingness to love silently is beautiful.
Always, always, always lead with your weakness, your vulnerability. We are always tempted as Jesuits to describe ourselves as “better than.” This does not help us grow closer to Christ and to others. What helps us is recognizing and sharing our weaknesses with others and asking God to help us in our weakness.
Jesuit community means loving people you did not choose to live with. Jesuit community is one of the most formative experiences of Christ-like love I have ever experienced. It means growing in patience, appreciation, joy, charity and understanding. God calls us to live the Gospel as a community. It is in a Jesuit community where we learn the humanity of each other so that we can love more deeply people in ministry.
